The dynamics of issue expansion: cases from disability rights and fetal research controversy

This article draws upon cases from the history of disability rights policy-making and from the history of fetal research regulation to explore the role of public opinion in policy-making. Drawing upon Wilson's typology, hypotheses set forth expectations that (a) in episodes of majoritarian politics, policymakers respond to popular concern about an issue; (b) in episodes of entrepreneurial politics, policymakers mobilize popular concern; (c) in episodes of client politics, policymakers act in the absence of popular concern; and (d) in episodes of interest group politics, mobilization of popular concern is contingent upon the prevailing division of public opinion on the issue. The results generally support the thesis that the role of public opinion is a function of the costs, benefits, and organization of interests surrounding policy issues.